A self-proclaimed Sasquatch hunter from Tennessee has been left red-faced after he realized that the giant footprint he discovered in the woods was actually his own.

Bob Smith, 45, who has been searching for the elusive creature for over a decade, told reporters that he was hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week when he stumbled upon what he thought was a breakthrough evidence of Bigfoot’s existence.

“I was following a trail of broken branches and fur when I saw this huge impression on the ground. It was about 18 inches long and 8 inches wide, with five toes. It looked exactly like a Sasquatch footprint,” Smith said.

Smith said he was so excited that he took several photos of the footprint and posted them on his Facebook page, where he has over 2,000 followers. He also contacted several cryptozoology experts and TV shows to share his discovery.

“I was sure this was it. This was the proof I had been looking for all these years. I was ready to become famous and prove all the skeptics wrong,” Smith said.

However, Smith’s dreams of glory were soon shattered when one of his Facebook friends pointed out a glaring flaw in his claim.

“Hey Bob, nice try, but that’s clearly your own footprint. Look at the shape of the heel and the arch. And you’re wearing the same boots in your profile picture. Did you forget to take them off before you staged this hoax?” the friend commented.

Smith said he was shocked and embarrassed when he realized his mistake. He admitted that he had indeed forgotten to remove his boots, which were size 15, before he stepped on the soft ground to make the footprint.

“I don’t know what came over me. I guess I was so desperate to find something that I lost my common sense. I’m sorry for misleading everyone. I feel like such a fool,” Smith said.

Smith said he has since deleted his Facebook post and apologized to his followers and contacts. He said he still believes in Sasquatch, but he will be more careful and honest in his future investigations.

“I hope people will forgive me for this blunder. I’m not giving up on my quest. I know Bigfoot is out there somewhere, and I will find him someday,” Smith said.